Guy Fawkes executed for ‘Gunpowder Plot’ 420 years ago today (Jan 31 1606)


Video: 'The last Days of Guy Fawkes' (Jan. 31, 1606, at 40:41)

(Friday, January 31, 1606, morning local time)Guy Fawkes, convicted of treason for his part in the “Gunpowder Plot” against the English Parliament and King James I, was executed today. Continue reading Guy Fawkes executed for ‘Gunpowder Plot’ 420 years ago today (Jan 31 1606)

Civil rights icon Coretta Scott King, 78, dies 20 years ago this hour (Jan 30 2006)


Video: 'Coretta Scott King: The Unsung Hero of the Civil Rights Movement'

(Monday, January 30, 2006, approximately 8:30 p.m. PST)Coretta Scott King, known first as the wife of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., then as his widow, then as an avid proselytizer for his vision of racial peace and nonviolent social change, died today at a hospital in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. She was 78. Continue reading Civil rights icon Coretta Scott King, 78, dies 20 years ago this hour (Jan 30 2006)

Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, The Four Tops perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1966)


Video: 'Ballad of the Green Berets - SSGT Barry Sadler [1966]'

(Sunday, January 30, 1966, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler performed “Ballad of the Green Berets” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, The Four Tops perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1966)

George H.W. Bush sworn in as CIA director 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1976)


Video: 'George H.W. Bush in 1976'

(Friday, January 30, 1976, 11:02 a.m. EST) — George H.W. Bush, with President Gerald Ford in attendance, was sworn in today as the 11th Director of Central Intelligence (replacing William Colby) to head the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, recently rocked by a series of revelations, including those based on investigations by the Church Committee regarding illegal and unauthorized activities. Continue reading George H.W. Bush sworn in as CIA director 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1976)

Elvis Presley records Carl Perkins’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1956)


Video: 'Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes'

(Monday, January 30, 1956, at around 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EST) — Elvis Presley, 21, recorded a cover version of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” today during a seven-hour session at the RCA Studio, 155 E. 24th Street in New York City. Continue reading Elvis Presley records Carl Perkins’ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1956)

‘Barbara Ann’ by The Beach Boys peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

(Saturday, January 29, 1966) — “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Barbara Ann’ by The Beach Boys peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

‘As Tears Go By’ by The Rolling Stones peaks at #6 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

(Saturday, January 29, 1966) — “As Tears Go By” by The Rolling Stones peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘As Tears Go By’ by The Rolling Stones peaks at #6 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

‘Jenny Take a Ride!’ by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels peaks at #10 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

(Saturday, January 29, 1966) — “Jenny Take a Ride!” by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels peaked at #10 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Jenny Take a Ride!’ by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels peaks at #10 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

‘It Was a Very Good Year’ by Frank Sinatra peaks at #28 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

(Saturday, January 29, 1966) — “It Was a Very Good Year” by Frank Sinatra peaked at #28 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘It Was a Very Good Year’ by Frank Sinatra peaks at #28 in USA 60 years ago today (Jan 29 1966)

‘From Me To You/Boys’ episode airs on ‘The Beatles’ cartoon series 60 years ago this hour (Jan 29 1966)


Video: 'The Beatles Cartoon TV Series - Episode 19'

(Saturday, January 29, 1966, 10:30 a.m. EST) — Vacationing in Hawaii, George is bullied by the very jealous Surf Wolf, who is king of the beach and later, The Beatles are in Hollywood, when they notice a contest by President Films on this morning’s episode of The Beatles, a weekly cartoon television series on ABC.